2015 Tour De France; Neeltje Jans

The second stage of the 2015 Tour de France will have a very unique finish: the finish will be on Neeltje Jans that Sunday (July 5)! Neeltje Jans was once a sandbank in the mouth of the Oosterschelde. For the construction of the storm surge barrier, the slab was raised and transformed into a work island. Over the years, wind and weather have made Neeltje Jans a unique dune landscape that is held together by marram grass and sea buckthorn.

Neeltje Jans is part of the Oosterschelde National Park, a nature reserve that was officially granted National Park status on 8 May 2002. The park is roughly bounded by the dikes of the'islands\\\' Schouwen-Duiveland, Tholen and Sint Philipsland, Noord-Beveland and Zuid-Beveland and the dams of the Delta Works. With approximately 370 km² (of which 350 km² outside the dikes), the Oosterschelde National Park is the largest national park in the Netherlands.

Because the Oosterschelde has long been an estuary, it was for a long time an area with both fresh and salt water. The construction of the first Delta Works closed off the rivers, causing the Oosterschelde to salinize. Despite (or because of) these developments, the Oosterschelde has a unique flora and fauna. Well-known are the seals and porpoises that are seen with some regularity.

The first point of interest on the route is the Oosterscheldekering, the largest of the 13 Delta Works. This storm surge barrier was built after the flooding of the North Sea in 1953. It is a very ingenious and impressive piece of architecture. Then you pass a watchtower. Here you can possibly climb to the top, where many birds, a fresh wind and a breathtaking view of the Oosterschelde await you.

Zierikzee is also a pleasant place to explore by bike. This has been a protected cityscape since 1971; Zierikzee is therefore a monument city. There are no less than 568 monuments. The most famous is the Sint-Lievensmonstertoren, which bears a striking resemblance to the Sint-Romboutstoren in Mechelen.

The tour starts and ends at Country House de Vlasschure. Spacious apartments and rooms have been created in this old, renovated farmhouse. Each room has its own style and character. You can have a nice bite to eat here after your bike ride. Book a stay so you can enjoy a romantic evening stroll on the beach at sunset. After a good breakfast you can also make a cycling tour 136361 the next day.